Portable heated mist inhaler

ABSTRACT

A portable heated mist inhaler has a body, a supply tank of liquid, an atomizer for atomizing the liquid, and a thermostatically controlled heated nozzle. The supply tank feeds liquid to the atomizer. The atomizer creates a stream of mist from the liquid and entrained surrounding air. The mist is heated inside the nozzle so that it will be comfortable for the user. The portable heated mist inhaler has a battery which powers the atomizer and the heated nozzle.

COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material towhich a claim for copyright is made. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but reserves all other copyright rightswhatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to mist inhalers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a photograph of prior art ambient mist inhaler 100. The mistinhaler is battery operated portable mist inhaler made by Aura MedicalLLC. The mist inhaler comprises a supply tank 102 disposed above anatomizer 104. The atomizer can be any device for generating a fine mistfrom a liquid in the supply tank. A suitable atomizing device is avibrating mesh technology. A suitable vibrating mesh technology isdescribed in U.S. patent application US2010/0319685 A1, “Medical LiquidDroplet Apparatus” by Neng-Chih Yu, Dec. 23, 2010. Said patentapplication is incorporated herein by reference with specific referenceto FIG. 4. The mist inhaler comprises a body 108 below the supply tank.The body comprises an on/off switch 112. Batteries (not shown) areprovided in the body to power the vibrating mesh. A nozzle 106 isdisposed in front of the vibrating mesh. In operation, a liquid in thesupply tank flows down to the atomizer. The atomizer is adapted to ejectthe liquid in an atomized state into the nozzle. The atomized liquidentrains air to form a mist that the user inhales. The liquid can bewater or any other liquid suitable for inhalation by a user.

One of the drawbacks of the prior art is that, as the atomized liquidmixes with the ambient air, a portion of it evaporates thus causing adrop in the temperature of the mist. This can cause discomfort,particularly when the ambient air is very dry with a low dewpoint orfrost point. Experiment has shown that heating the liquid beforeatomizing does not help increase the temperature of the mist. There isneed, therefore, for a hand-held battery operating mist inhaler that candeliver a warm mist for user comfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The summary of the invention is provided as a guide to understanding theinvention. It does not necessarily describe the most generic embodimentof the invention or the broadest range of alternative embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of a portable heated mist inhaler 200.The portable heated mist inhaler comprises a supply tank 202 for liquid,an atomizer 204 (inside the body) for generating atomized liquid and abody 208 that can be used to hold the portable heated mist inhaler. Thebody may also house a battery power supply and associated electronics. Aheated nozzle 206 proceeds from the front of the portable heated mistinhaler. The heated nozzle comprises an inlet orifice (item 324 FIG. 3)located at a nozzle inlet (item 334 FIG. 3), a thermostaticallycontrolled heating element (item 322 FIG. 3) located inside of theheated nozzle, an outlet orifice 220 located at a nozzle outlet 224, andan air orifice 210 located at a nozzle base 222. The nozzle base is theportion of the nozzle adjoining the inhaler face 223. The body furthercomprises an on/off switch 212, a variable temperature switch 214, 218and a temperature indicator 216.

In operation, fluid flows from the supply tank to the atomizer. Theatomizer creates a stream of atomized fluid that flows into the inlet ofthe heated nozzle. The stream of atomized fluid entrains air through theair orifice to form a mist. The mist passes over the thermostaticallycontrolled heating element where its temperature is raised to thetemperature set by the variable temperature switch. The heated mist thenproceeds out through the outlet orifice where it is then inhaled by auser. The temperature can be increased by activating the upper variabletemperature switch 214. The temperature can be decreased by activatingthe lower variable temperature switch 218. Any control means, however,may be used. The setpoint temperature is indicated by the temperatureindicator. The temperature indicator may simply be a series of lightswhere more lights indicate a higher set point. Any indicator means,however, may be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a prior art ambient mist inhaler.

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of a portable heated mist inhaler.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross section drawing of the portable heatedmist inhaler of FIG. 2 through section A-A.

FIG. 4 is a lateral cross section drawing of the portable heated mistinhaler of FIG. 2 through section B-B.

FIG. 5 is a drawing of a user using the portable heated mist inhaler ofFIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description describes non-limiting exemplary embodiments.Any individual features may be combined with other features as requiredby different applications for at least the benefits described herein. Asused herein, the term “about” means plus or minus 10% of a given valueunless specifically indicated otherwise.

As used herein, the term “shaped” means that an item has the overallappearance of a given shape even if there are minor variations from thepure form of said given shape.

As used herein, the term “generally” when referring to a shape meansthat an ordinary observer will perceive that an object has said shapeeven if there are minor variations from said shape.

As used herein, relative orientation terms, such as “up”, “down”, “top”,“bottom”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “distal” and“proximal” are defined with respect to an initial presentation of anobject and will continue to refer to the same portion of an object evenif the object is subsequently presented with an alternative orientation,unless otherwise noted.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross section drawing 300 of the portableheated mist inhaler 200 of FIG. 2 through section A-A. The portableheated mist inhaler comprises:

-   -   a) a body 208;    -   b) a supply tank 202 for holding a liquid to be atomized;    -   c) an atomizer 204 for atomizing said liquid; and    -   d) a heated nozzle 206 comprising:        -   i) an inlet 334;        -   ii) an outlet 224;        -   iii) a base 222 proximate to said inlet;        -   iv) an inlet orifice 324 located at said inlet of said            nozzle;        -   v) an outlet orifice 220 located at said outlet of said            nozzle;        -   vi) an air orifice 210 located at said base of said nozzle;            and        -   vii) a thermostatically controlled heating element 322            located at said base of said nozzle wherein:    -   e) said supply tank is adapted to convey said liquid to said        atomizer;    -   f) said atomizer is adapted to eject said liquid in an atomized        state through said inlet orifice;    -   g) said air orifice is adapted to allow ambient air to mix with        said ejected atomized liquid to form a mist which flows out of        said outlet orifice;    -   h) said thermostatically controlled heating element is adapted        to heat said flowing mist to a preset temperature; and    -   i) said preset temperature is a temperature safe for inhalation.

The nozzle may further comprise a heat sink 316. The heat sink may bemade of a thermally conductive material, such as a metal alloy, such asan alloy of aluminum or copper. The heat sink may comprise one or moreinternal fins 318 adapted to contact said mist as said mist flowsthrough said nozzle. The heating element may be in thermal contact withsaid heat sink such that heat is conducted to said internal fins andhence into the mist. This helps insure a uniform temperature of themist. A temperature sensor 325 may be provided at the inlet to thenozzle to control the heating element.

The portable heated mist inhaler may further comprise:

-   -   a) an accumulator tank 335;    -   b) a nozzle drain tube 323 connecting said base of said nozzle        to said accumulator tank such that fluid that condenses from        said mist onto said vertical fins can flow down and drain into        said accumulator tank;    -   c) a drain port 328 at about the bottom of said body;    -   d) an accumulator drain tube 326 adapted to convey fluid in said        accumulator tank to said drain port; and    -   e) a drain plug 332 adapted to:        -   i) prevent said fluid in said accumulator tank from flowing            out of said drain port when said drain plug is in place on            said drain port; and        -   ii) allow said fluid in said accumulator tank to flow out of            said drain port when said drain plug is removed from said            drain port.

The portable heated mist inhaler may further comprise:

-   -   a) a rechargeable battery 306;    -   b) a control and power circuit 304;    -   c) a variable temperature switch (collectively items 214, 218 of        FIG. 2); and    -   d) a charging port 308    -   wherein:    -   e) said variable temperature switch is adapted to receive input        from a user to vary said preset temperature; and    -   f) said charging port is adapted to connect an external power        supply to said rechargeable battery in order to recharge said        rechargeable battery.

The portable heated mist inhaler may have a set point that is limited toa temperature for safe inhalation of the mist. Said set point may be inthe range of 103° F. to 122° F. The control and power circuit 304 may beadapted to limit said preset temperature to a range of 103° F. to 122°F.

A removable disposable sheath 312 or other attachment or extension maybe provided on the outside of the heated nozzle for sanitary, usercomfort, or other purposes. An insulating gasket 314 may be providedaround the heat sink to insulate the outside of the nozzle from the heatsink. The insulating gasket may be made of an elastomer, such as rubber.A tank release button 302 may be provided to allow easy removal andcleaning of the supply tank. A sump 310 may be provided in the bottom ofthe supply tank and proximate to the atomizer to allow the atomizer toget full contact with liquid in the supply tank even when the supplytank is almost empty and/or when the portable heated mist inhaler istilted.

FIG. 4 is a lateral cross section drawing 400 of the portable heatedmist inhaler of FIG. 2 through section B-B. Different elements of theportable heated mist inhaler are shown. A plurality of vertical equallyspaced internal fins 404 can be seen. The cross section of various screwmounts 402 can be seen. The drain tube 326 is not shown on the drainport 328 for clarity.

FIG. 5 is a drawing of a user using the portable heated mist inhaler 200of FIG. 2. The user tips the body 208 back at a tipping angle 502 sothat warmed mist 504 will emerge from the heated nozzle directly intothe user's nose 506. The insulating gasket (314 FIG. 3) keeps the user'snose from getting heated. The removable disposable sheath 312 keeps theheated nozzle sanitary.

CONCLUSION

While the disclosure has been described with reference to one or moredifferent exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may besubstituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of thedisclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt to aparticular situation without departing from the essential scope orteachings thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not belimited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention.

I claim:
 1. A portable heated mist inhaler comprising: a) a body; b) asupply tank for holding a liquid to be atomized; c) an atomizer foratomizing said liquid; and d) a heated nozzle comprising: i) an inlet;ii) an outlet; iii) a base proximate to said inlet; iv) an inlet orificelocated at said inlet of said nozzle; v) an outlet orifice located atsaid outlet of said nozzle; vi) an air orifice located at said base ofsaid nozzle; and vii) a thermostatically controlled heating elementlocated at said base of said nozzle wherein: e) said supply tank isadapted to convey said liquid to said atomizer; f) said atomizer isadapted to eject said liquid in an atomized state through said inletorifice; g) said air orifice is adapted to allow ambient air to mix withsaid ejected atomized liquid to form a mist which flows out of saidoutlet orifice; h) said thermostatically controlled heating element isadapted to heat said flowing mist to a preset temperature; and i) saidpreset temperature is a temperature safe for inhalation.
 2. The portableheated mist inhaler of claim 1 wherein: a) said nozzle further comprisesa heat sink; b) said heat sink comprises a plurality of internal finsadapted to contact said mist as said mist flows through said nozzle; andc) said heating element contacts said heat sink such that heat isconducted to said internal fins.
 3. The portable heated mist inhaler ofclaim 2 which further comprises: a) an accumulator tank; b) a nozzledrain tube connecting said base of said nozzle to said accumulator tanksuch that fluid that condenses from said mist onto said vertical finscan flow down and drain into said accumulator tank; c) a drain port atabout a bottom of said body; d) an accumulator drain tube adapted toconvey fluid in said accumulator tank to said drain port; and e) a drainplug adapted to: i) prevent said fluid in said accumulator tank fromflowing out of said drain port when said drain plug is in place on saiddrain port; and ii) allow said fluid in said accumulator tank to flowout of said drain port when said drain plug is removed from said drainport.
 4. The portable heated mist inhaler of claim 1 which furthercomprises: a) a rechargeable battery; b) a control and power circuit; c)a variable temperature switch; and d) a charging port wherein: e) saidvariable temperature switch is adapted to receive input from a user tovary said preset temperature; and f) said charging port is adapted toconnect an external power supply to said rechargeable battery in orderto recharge said rechargeable battery.
 5. The portable heated mistinhaler of claim 4 wherein said control and power circuit is adapted tolimit said preset temperature to a range of 103° F. to 122° F.